Low Popahirum, Louisiana Edition (5-22-14)

“The House Committee on Natural Resources amended Senate Bill 469 to say that the Louisiana Legislature wants this measure to apply retroactively, and that lawmakers oppose the lawsuits filed last year by Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East against 97 oil and gas companies claiming environmental damage to the marshes. The panel then voted 13 to 6 to send the amended legislation to the full Louisiana House.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“Many politicians in Louisiana, especially from rural or sparsely populated districts, can log considerable miles traveling for public purpose. But they would have a hard time rivaling the amount of official travel that state Rep. Joe Harrison, R-Gray, has billed to his campaign and taxpayers.” – NOLA.com

“Dr. Ralph Abraham of Mangham is no political novice. It’s true he’s never been a candidate for public office, and you can rest assured he’s being honest when he says he has no desire to be a politician. But if Abraham sticks to his guns and enters this fall’s 5th District congressional race, it will mark the first time he’s ever been a candidate for public office. However, it won’t mark the first time he’s directly exposed himself to the political process.” – Sam Hanna/Ouachita Citizen

“Stepping up his criticism, Gov. Bobby Jindal on Wednesday compared Common Core to centralized planning in Russia and predicted the national drive to overhaul academic standards will fail. ‘The feds are taking over and rushing this,’ Jindal said in a prepared statement released late Wednesday.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“Common Core backers say Jindal’s remarks about the academic standards have become more about national politics than local education policy. The governor is expected to launch a 2016 presidential campaign and he has his eye on Iowa caucus goers more than Louisiana citizens, said Chas Roemer, president of state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. ‘This is presidential politics,’ said Roemer, a Common Core supporter, about the governor’s statement. ‘This is the politics of our governor, who is running for president.'” – NOLA.com

“Drew Brees has been joking about retirement lately on national television. For now, it’s just part of a fictional advertising campaign for an open-air, three-wheel vehicle which Brees’ football contract forbids him from riding. The truth is, even as Brees enters his 14th NFL season at the age of 35, he plans to play well beyond the three seasons left on his current deal with New Orleans.” – WWL-TV

“A distant figure to most legislators in recent years, of late Jindal has become even more remote as he steps up out-of-state travels in his all-but-declared presidential campaign.” – The Lens

“A 30-7 Senate vote Wednesday gave final passage to a bill requiring dogs riding in the back of trucks to be humanely secured with a leash, crate or a ventilated truck bed cover when on an interstate highway.” – Monroe News-Star